Three dimensional reticular structure



May 25, 1965 E. P. PlfiERQ THREE DIMENSIONAL RETICULAR STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 15. 1961 EMILIO PEREZ PIN'ERO BY fl 44/6: 7

ATTORNEYS.

May 25, 1965 E. P. PlfiERo THREE DIMENSIONAL RETICULAR STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 15. 1961 E MILIO PEREZ PINERO ATTORNEYS May 25, 1965 E. P. PlfiERo THREE DIMENSIONAL RE'I'ICULAR STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 15, 1961 ATTORNEYS May 25, 1965 E. P. PIN'ERQ THREE DIMENSIONAL RETICULAR STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 15, 1961 .Fiy 11- INVENTOR smuo PEREZ PWERo a BY 7' ATTORNEYS E. P. PINE-R0 3,185,164

THREE DIMENSIONAL RE'IICULAR STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 25, 1965 Filed Nov. 15, 1961 United States Patent 3,185,164 THREE DIMENSIONAL RETICULAR STRUCTURE Emilio Perez Pifiero, 4 Perez Galdos St, Madrid, Spain Filed Nov. 15, 1961, Ser. No. 152,567 Claims priority, application Spain, Apr. 21, 1961, 266,861 7 Claims. (Cl. 135-4} This invention relates to a three-dimensional reticular structure having the important characteristic that it is foldable.

All the three-dimensional structures constructed or proposed up to the present time have to be dismantled, and this at the cost of extreme complication and a large assembly of parts. a

For an acceptable structure, certain minimum conditions of simplicity of construction and assembly must be fulfilled, which has repercussions on the economic aspect of the design, and a favourable ratio between the weight and the strength of the structure when spread open is also of the greatest importance.

The requirements mentioned above are fully' met by means of the structure of the invention in a novel and original manner, the simplicity of which is not the result ,of simplification of,or improvements in, pro-existent solutions but is achieved by a completely new design and conception.

Fundamentally, the folding three-dimensional reticular structure of the invention comprises a system of rods pivotally connected to each other by couplings which can be distributed by unfolding over a three-dimensional space and be folded until the rods and their coupling connections form a compact bundle which is easily manageable in general and for transport in particular. The assembly of rods and connecting couplings forms one whole which is joined together permanently, even during foldmg.

Each rod has three seatings or sockets for an equal number of articulating pins provided on the couplings, the pins being mounted in the seatings in parallel coplanar positions. That is, the rods are articulated at each of the associated couplings and the number of the associated couplings connected to each rod is always three, two of them at the ends and a third at an intermediate point the spacing of which from the other two seatings depends on the curvature which the structure has when unfolded.

The couplings take the form of cores equipped with similar projecting arms disposed at equal angles in one plane, and they are provided as upper, lower and intermediate couplings.

End couplings of the same kind, according to the foregoing division or classification, are connected permanently by flexible stays or ties operating under tension which, while they do not render folding difiicult, limit the amplitude of extension or opening by their predetermined length.

Bearing in mind that the structure in question has been devised essentially for use as a folding covering, both systems of stays or one only, and in this case preferably the upper one, may be replaced by a piece of strong fabric associated with the corresponding couplings.

Finally, the bracing action which prevents folding when the structure is to remain open is achieved by means of another series of stays, these being disengageable, which connect end couplings of difierent kinds, that is upper ones with lower ones.

There are two parameters which have an influence on the geometrical characteristics of the structure once it is extended or unfolded:

(a) The number of rods which meet in a coupling. This influences the unfolded geometrical form of the Ice con-tour or peripheral boundary in a plane perpendicular to the folded rods; if there concur three rods per coupling, the unfolded contour is hexagonal; if four concur, the unfolded contour is quadrangular.

(b) Equality or inequality of distances between each intermediate coupling and the two other extreme couplings of each rod. If the intermediate coupling is equ1- distant from the two other extreme ones (i.e. the upper and the lower), the extended structure does not present any curvaure. That is to say that, as a whole, and ignoring its own height, it is plane; more concretely, the series of couplings of like denomination are contained in parallel' planes.

If the intermediate coupling is not equidistant from the other two, then the extended structure adops the form of a curve (a shell-shaped configuration); that is to say that the couplings of the same designation are found upon one of its three curved surfaces, concave towards the interior of the covered enclosure.

For a better understanding of the nature and significance of the folding three-dimensional reticular structure of the invention, a complete description thereof will be given hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which there is shown, simply and diagrammatically and by way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention. In the drawingsi FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a portion of an open structure in accordance with the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the same structure,

FIGURE 3 shows in detail the connection of three rods of the structure toan intermediate coupling,

FIGURE 4 shows in perspective view one of the intermediate connecting couplings,

' FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal section of an endcoupl-ing for the rods, showing one rod mounted and one of the stays limiting opening of the structure,

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the end coupling shown in FIGURE 5,

FIGURE 7 shows in elevation a rod for the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 8 is a plan view similar to FIGURE 1, in this case of an embodiment comprising rods bent-at their intermediate couplings in a plane normal to that determined by the axes of rotation about the couplings,

FIGURE 9 is-a perspective view of a connecting part for end couplings in accordance with the embodiment of FIGURE 8,

FIGURE 10 illustrates a specimen of the bent rods of that embodiment, and

FIGURES 11 and 12 are perspective views showing perspective views showing progressive steps in opening or unfolding the FIGURE 1 structure in which a cover sheet has been substituted for the cables a.

In accordance with the foregoing, each rod B (as illustrated in FIGURE 7) is always articulated to three couplings 1, 2 and 3. For this purpose the rod B, which is straight and in one piece, has three bores or seatings, two end seatings 1' and 3' and one intermediate seating 2', which are coplanar and extend at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the rod. It is essential that the three seatings should be parallel as shown. 7

The distances I2' and 2 -3 vary according to the curvature of the erected structure, considered as a covering. When these distances are equal a plane covering is obtained, as can be seen in FIGURE 2.

Assembly of the combination of rods is commenced by grouping a predetermined number thereof on a central coupling element, as shown in FIGURE 4. That figure shows one of these articulated coupling elements equipped with three arms, which corresponds to the assembly illustrated in the corresponding drawings. The element comprises a core 2 provided with three arms'4, 5 and 6. In practice the number of the arms may vary, depending on the desired geometrical form of the contour of the structure. Thus, three-rod couplings result in a hexagonal peripheral boundary or contour whenthe structure is unfolded. The use of four-armed couplings result in unfolded structures having quadrangular contours, or peripheral boundaries in a horizontal plane. The embodiment illustrated in the corresponding drawings has, with its three rods per coupling, a hexagonal contour as seen in FIG. 12.,

In any case, the arms projecting from the core 2 must be equal and regularly distributed in a common plane, and at the end couplings there must meet a number of rods B equal to that meeting at the intermediate couplings.

Once the arms 4, 5 and 6 have been introduced into the seats 2 of three rods B, the coupling remains free in the articulating sense, the arms being attached to the rods B by means of the respective nuts, 7,8 and 9 with corresponding washers (as shown in FIGURES).

If the distances between the intermediate seating 2.

and the end seats 1 and 3 are not equal the assembly shown in FIGURE 3 must be arranged with the arms of equal length in the same half of the assembly of radiating arms which is formed.

Once several groups have been assembled in the same way at their central couplings, the joints corresponding to the end couplings are made. This is achieved by means of cores generally similar to the cores 2, but formed, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, for the connection of stays and covering fabrics. Thus, from the central core 10, which represents the corresponding end coupling, there extend arms 11, 12 and 16, which are equal and regularly distributed ina common plane.

The core 10 is covered at one end by a movable sleeve 14 and terminates in threaded pins 15 and 16. The

sleeve 14 drops over longitudinal slots 17, thus locking cables passed therethrough, as can be seen from FIGURE 5. These cables are the stays indicated by the letters a and b in the corresponding drawings which limit opening movement of the arms. The general reference 1-3 appearing in the upper right-hand part of FIGURES 5 and 6 indicates that the elements shown therein represent, without distinction, the form taken by the couplings 1 and 3.

The following procedure is essential during the assembly of the coupling elements 1 and 3. All the cores representing couplings mounted on a given rod must be mounted thereon on the same generatrix, that is in the same semi-space in relation to an imaginary plane which, passing through the axis of the rod, is normal to the axes of articulation.

Once the assembly of rods has been put together in compliance with the described conditions and the cables,

a and b or a single group thereof have been fixed, or

one or both groups have been replaced by a sheet of fabric, a folding assembly is formed the extension of which is limited in amplitude by the cables a and b.

However, it is impossible to maintain the extended position permanently and strongly merely with the described means.

For permanent holding or bracing purposes, recourse is had to cables 0 which connect upper and lower couplings to one another in pairs of different kinds. These cables 0 are permanently attached to one of the couplings forming the pair and are attached to the other coupling -at a suitable time by connecting to engaging means which can be manipulated easily and rapidly. In FIG- URE 2, possible hooking on to the lower couplings has been assumed as the most convenient arrangement.

As will be seen in FIGURE 1, the rods B do not have their axes coincident at the end coupling 1 and 3, and

this gives ,rise to bending moments in the latter. In

order to obviate this drawback, recourse is had (according to the other embodiment) to the use of one-piece rods bent at the location of the corresponding intermediate coupling is a plane normal to the axes of articu lation.

A rod with these characteristics can be seen in FIG- URE 10 marked with thereference B and in this figure the references 1'1, 2' and 3' correspond to the parallel seatings for the axes of articulation.

The connecting parts for the end couplings are replaced by other parts similar to that shown in FIGURE 9, which is formed by a prismatic core 18 from which project pairs of parallel pairs of lugs 19. These lugs project at equal angles in the same general plane and have bores 20 for the insertion of articulating bolts.

In this case, assembly is carried out by placing each pair of lugs at the end of a rod with an articulating bolt passing through the rod seating, and not, as previously described, by connecting the rod laterally.

The arrangement of the remaining elements is identical 'to that of the first embodiment.

When used as a covering the described structure, once it has been unfolded, must rest on vertical elements; 'In view of its own rigidity, it may simply rest on these elements such as the parts 15 at the base of the lower end couplings. However, there are various possibilities, among them that consisting in resting on straight supporting legs whichmay be coupled to the structure outside its unfolded boundary and bracing said structure at its outer couplings. In this way, it is moreover possible to dispense with some of the disengageable flexible elements 0.

It will be appreciated that variations are possible in the number of rods, the contour of the assembly, the form, materials and dimensions, both absolute'and relative, and in general in any way which, by reason of its accessory or secondary nature, does not imply a fundamental change in the invention described, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A folding three-dimensional reticular structure comprising a plurality of rods pivotally connected at their upper and lower ends by couplings to one another to form an assembly of rods which is foldable and extensible, each rod being articulated at at least three points respectively located at both ends of the rod and at an intermediate point, each rod having substantially parallel articulation axes corresponding to said articulation points and located in a plane common to the axis of the rod, said couplings being positioned at the said points of articulation of each rod and having cross arms to each of which a rod is pivotally joined for articulation, flexible elements interconnecting the upper couplings and similar flexible elementsinterconnecting the lower couplings to prevent extension of the assembly beyond a preselected limit while permitting the assembly to fold into a compact form with all the rods adjacent each other, and stays releasably attached between upper and lower couplings of different rods to prevent folding and impart rigidity to the unfolded reticular structure.

2. A folding three-dimensional reticular structure according to claim 1, wherein three rods are pivotally connected at each coupling.

3. A folding structure according to claim 1 wherein said couplings each comprise a core having equiangularly spaced arms equal in number to the rods meeting at the coupling, each of said arms being articulately connected to' one of said rods.

4. A folding three-dimensional reticular structure according to claim 1 wherein the couplings connected to the rods at their intermediate points are positioned at unequal distances from the ends of each rod and the rods are arranged so that branches of equal length are positioned on the same side of the intermediate couplings.

5. A folding three-dimensional reticular structure according to claim 1 wherein said flexible elements interconnecting the upper couplings are replaced by a fabric covering.

6. A folding three-dimensional reticular structure according to claim 1 wherein said rods are each bent out of a plane at right angles to said articulation axes at the point where the intermediate coupling is located, said bent rods permitting assembly of the structure so that the axis of each portion of the rods meeting at upper and lower couplings coincides effectively with the center of the intermediate coupling, bending moments thereby being avoided in the couplings.

7. A folding three-dimensional reticular structure according to claim 1 wherein said stays are applied near the peripheral border of the unfolded structure so as to prevent contraction thereof, a plurality of straight legs supporting the structure and connected to couplings spaced 7 6 inwardly from said peripheral border, the said stays extending outwardly from the couplings to which the legs are connected.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,257,770 10/41 Szego .Q 56 X 2,542,040 2/51 MacLellan 248164 X 2,682,235 6/54 Fuller. 2,716,993 9/55 Codrick l354 2,929,473 3/60 Lindsay 18934 3,017,893 1/62 Greenbie -7.1

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, DONLEY I. STOCKING,

Examiners. 

1. A FOLDING THREE-DIMENSIONAL RETICULAR STRUCTURE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF RODS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT THEIR UPPER AND LOWER ENDS BY COUPLING TO ONE ANOTHER TO FORM AN ASSEMBLY OF RODS WHICH IS FOLDABLE AND EXTENSIBLE, EACH ROD BEING ARTICULATED AT LEAST THREE POINTS RESPECTIVELY LOCATED AT BOTH ENDS OF THE ROD AND AT AN INTERMEDIATE POINT, EACH ROD HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL ARTICULATION AXES CORRESPONDING TO SAID ARTICULATION POINTS AND LOCATED IN A PLANE COMMON TO THE AXIS OF THE ROD, SAID COUPLING BEING POSITIONEDX AT THE SAID POINTS OF ARTICULATION OF EACH ROD AND HAVING CROSS ARMS TO EACH OF WHICH A ROD PIVOTALLY JOINED FOR ARTICULATION, FLEXIBLE ELEMENTS INTERCONNECTING THE UPPER COUPLINGS AND SIMILAR FLEXIBLE ELEMENTS INTERCONNECTING THE LOWER COUPLINGS TO PREVENT EXTENSION OF THE ASSEMBLY BEYOND A PRESELECTED LIMIT WHILE PERMITTING THE ASSEMBLY TO FOLD INTO A COMPACT FORM WITH ALL THE RODS ADJACENT EACH OTHER, AND STAYS RELEASABLY ATTACHED BETWEEN UPPER AND LOWER COUPLINGS OF DIFFERENT RODS RO PREVENT FOLDING AND IMPART RIGIDITY TO THE UNFOLDED RETICULAR STRUCTURE. 